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Texas Women’s Foundation

Reflecting on a Busy 2024

As you read this, I’m in Las Vegas for the Ascend Convention. I’m so excited to speak to this group that supports and develops leaders from the AAPI community. I’m also feeling gratitude for all of the milestones and memorable moments so far in 2024.  

If you’re a regular reader here, you know that I always advocate taking a moment to slow down, reflect and celebrate your successes. So that’s what I want to do today. I hope you’ll also consider sharing your big moments of 2024 in our LinkedIn community. Let’s share some virtual high fives!

Image by Annette Meyer from Pixabay

New Lens® Updates

Our New Lens learning platform continues to evolve. We just released some new features in response to client suggestions and we’ve totally updated the content for the Build Leadership Courage and Resilience core strategy. We’re getting consistently positive feedback from our client companies about how New Lens is making an impact for them — and nothing makes us happier! If your organization needs a scalable and affordable leadership development solution, you can set up a demo to learn more about New Lens.

Our Contributions to Forbes and Fast Company

A big part of our mission is expanding access to the leadership development strategies that have helped 75% of our clients get promoted. One way we do that is through regular contributions to Forbes and Fast Company. If you’ve missed any of our 2024 articles, here’s a quick roundup:

If you missed my interview for the “Negotiate Anything” podcast with Kwame Christian, check it out. Listen for some advice on authentic self-advocacy as a strategy for getting promoted, or read highlights of our conversation in Kwame’s article for Forbes.

Thought Leadership

  • We’ve been busy here creating resources to better serve your needs. Our white paper "3 Key Challenges for Managers" was inspired by a clear trend we’ve seen emerge: Managers are more important than ever to organizations. But they’re also at high risk of burnout and disengagement.

Honors and Recognition

  • We are still basking in the glow of burnt orange! Newberry Solutions was honored with the #67 spot on The Longhorn 100, which recognizes the top 100 fastest-growing The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn-led companies in the world.

 Speaking Engagements

  • As an advocate for women, I loved speaking again at the D CEO Women's Leadership Symposium. There was such incredible energy in the room as we talked about topics like ambition, networking and career transitions. I spoke during the opening panel discussion, “Empowering Women: Overcoming Obstacles and Adapting to a New Era of Opportunity.” 

  • I was also part of a panel discussion presented by ICF North Texas Charter Chapter. The topic was “Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Insights from Master Certified Coaches.”

  •  For International Women’s Day, I delivered a keynote for the India Association of North Texas. Top takeaway: Notice the value of your own experiences and own and amplify what makes you unique.

Interested in having me speak? You can learn more on my website.

Other Notable Updates

  • I’m excited to be admitted as a new member of The Dallas Assembly, which has a powerful mission and impressive members (business, civic, nonprofit) that align with it. 

  • Parlez-vous français? My French improved after an incredible trip to Paris with 40 fellow members of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Tocqueville Society — philanthropists, leaders and changemakers. We were hosted by descendants of the Tocqueville family, and the trip included carefully curated experiences to foster relationships, learn from each other, share ideas on how to amplify philanthropy, and discuss challenges to democracy.

  • I’m also proud to be on the board of Texas Women’s Foundation, which hosted a Leadership Forum & Award Celebration featuring journalist Deborah Roberts as keynote.

  • I’m also joining the board of Big Thought, which is making a huge difference for youth in our community.

  • As always, serving as a mentor for the Dallas Business Journal's Mentoring Monday was a blast. It’s amazing how much advice you can pack into seven-minute sessions. And it’s always fun to see women in the community that I admire who are taking time out of their busy schedules to mentor others. 

  • I was excited to be back at Deloitte for the Ascend North Texas ERG Forum and a discussion on the Power of Allyship. Thanks to all the speakers for investing your time for and to Deloitte for hosting the event.

What’s Coming Up

Our schedule is just as exciting for the second half of 2024:

  • I’m moving my son to college in a couple of weeks, and am so proud of him!

  • Keep an eye out for our next webinar on September 13, 2024 and white paper.

  • I have an upcoming major media appearance I can’t wait to tell you more about!

Amid all the busyness, I’m keeping in mind my theme word for 2024: Joy. I feel joy when I look back on these milestones, think about our incredible team, and dedicated people coming together to make a difference for others. 

Here’s to more joy and success in the rest of 2024!

Women Leaders Shine at Two Events

As a board member for Texas Women’s Foundation, I’m passionate about the organization’s mission to make Texas a better place for women and girls. These past few weeks, it’s been especially exciting to be part of the foundation, thanks to two events that addressed some of the major challenges of our times.

Leadership Forum & Awards

On April 29, TWF presented its Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration to celebrate the impact of women leaders across Texas.

The keynote speaker was Adriana Gascoigne, the founder and CEO of Girls in Tech, a nonprofit organization that empowers, educates and engages women in the tech industry.

Gascoigne talked about how we've lost 50 years in gains for women during the pandemic. The time to invest in women is now. She also shared research from her organization about the tech industry. Findings include a high rate of burnout among women with male bosses.

Gascoigne left her audience with this advice:

  • Every failure is an opportunity to learn and build resilience. Fail fast and be open to change.

  • Keep your voice. Find your passion and purpose and stick with them.

Congratulations to co-chairs Hattie Hill and Jana Etheridge for this meaningful and valuable event. I also want to extend warm congratulations to the award honorees: Trisha Cunningham, Jin-Ya Huang, Rani Puranik, Judy Treviño, Cheryl Polote Williamson, Diana Mao and Kim Roxie.

Orchid Giving Circle POWER Leadership Forum

Orchid Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation is an Asian sisterhood that provides grants and fosters philanthropy primarily within and for the North Texas Asian community. On May 7, the Circle hosted the POWER Leadership Forum. I was honored to be on the planning committee for this event and to serve as one of the conversation leaders. Sponsors also receive access to my New Lens® app. I’m excited to share that we had almost 600 attendees and 100% of the funds will go to nonprofit organizations.

One key component of the forum was the Fireside Chat with Anne Chow, CEO of AT&T Business. Anne addressed the recent rise in bias against Asian Americans. A few of her key points:

  • Asian Americans are often talked about as the “model minority” (successful, overachievers). Remember to lean on the power of your core cultural values — to serve, achieve and perform.

  • We have to take care of ourselves. Have people in your life with who you can talk to truthfully. Let it out.

  • We all own a part of helping each other be better.  We all have biases. Start with yourself by understanding and reframing your own biases.

Anne also talked about how to manage your energy in challenging times:

  • It’s not about achieving work/life balance. Balance is bogus — you have one life to live; not separate personal and professional lives.  In your time-pressed life, focus on the quality of time you spend with others, not the quantity.  Optimize your life to the success measures that you define.

  • We all face choice points about where to put our time and energy. When you are making a choice, think about whether it is a “no do-over” moment  — one when you or the other person would always remember that you weren’t there. 

  • No one needs to know what your “no do-over” moments are or should tell you what they should be.  You can frame it as an “immovable commitment.”

  • Science shows that we are not truly happy unless we are helping others. Pick your head up, get involved in your community, and lift others up.

I also appreciated the takeaways from other panelists:

  • Be intentional with your time. Manage your moments.

  • Ask for what you need; wish out loud.

  • Do not just focus on tasks; take time to consistently invest in relationships.

  • Learn from your mistakes and quickly move forward.

  • Strategically use your energy.

  • Your voice matters, especially during this challenging time for the Asian community.

  • Volunteering in the community is a way to grow your skills in a safe environment and build your network of influence.

I hope that you’ll consider joining in Texas Women’s Foundation’s work to drive change for women. To learn more about donating or volunteering, visit the Get Involved page on the organization’s website.